Unit Manager

Coach a high-performing team and help shape the data and statistics that inform Aotearoa New Zealand's future.

• Coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing team
• Deliver today, design for tomorrow – lead a team balancing high frequency data and statistics with future-focussed development work with connections across the organisation
• Enjoy meaningful mahi and flexible working arrangements.

About Us | Ko mātou

Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa is a Central Government employer of 1300+ people across Aotearoa. We provide data and statistics to support the decisions of Government, Māori and Iwi organisations, businesses, NGOs, and New Zealanders. Our work is About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa – data that improves lives today and for generations to come. We welcome every gender, ethnicity, ability, religion, age, and background and encourage all our people to be their authentic selves.

What's in it for you? | Ngā hua ka riro ki a koe

We encourage you to go to our careers site to learn more about the Way We Work at Stats NZ and also check out our benefits. We want working for us… to work for you

Salary: $ 138,071 to $162,436 + superannuation

Other benefits of joining Stats NZ include:

• Balance life and work commitments

• Develop and grow your career (coaching, training, study support, secondments)

• Contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference to all people in Aotearoa

• 3 extra annual leave days (taken during Christmas office closure)

• City-based offices that cater to a variety of working styles and needs, including state of the art, 6-star green building in Wellington.

The roles | Te tūnga

As Unit Manager, you're responsible for the people leadership of a team of up to 16 analysts.

You'll lead a team of experts focused on delivery of population estimates and projections, vital statistics, and coverage measurement for the next census. Working closely with your Statistical Production Lead, you'll ensure the successful delivery of quarterly, six-monthly, annual, and cyclic 2–3 yearly data releases; a large volume of significant customised data requests; and support internal customer population data needs. You'll also oversee the scoping and development of the future of population statistics in collaboration with other teams across the organisation.

As part of the Statistical Delivery – Population and Housing leadership team, mutual support, shared problem-solving, and cross-unit cooperation are not just encouraged, but expected. You'll contribute to a culture where leaders back each other, share expertise, and work together to deliver for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The role reports to the General Manager, Statistical Delivery – Population and Housing.

We're looking for someone who:

• leads through people and empowers technical leadership to thrive
• actively upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their leadership and decision-making
• thrives in a fast-paced environment, particularly regular data releases
• brings a strong customer focus, embedding partner and stakeholder needs into the team's work
• leads collaboratively, actively contributing to the wider leadership of the branch and the Insights and Statistics group
• champions operational excellence, continuous improvement, and fosters innovation and growth in others
• has demonstrated, encouraged, or supported diversity and inclusion in or outside of work.

Please highlight in your application any experience or skills you have in the above list.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

We understand transferable skills can come from experience gained from outside of work. We encourage you to be you in your application.

We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and lifting our cultural capability. You don't need to be knowledgeable in all these areas already, but you do need to be on board with learning and have a genuine interest and willingness to grow on this journey with us.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

If this sounds like you, click on the Apply now button to be redirected to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page.

We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interview. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video. Please let us know in your application if we need to make any specific accommodations during our process.

Please reach out to if you have any questions.

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background and various pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.

Reference #

16796

Posted on

07 Nov 2025

Closes on

14 Nov :55

Location(s)

Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington

Expertise

Data Insights, Analysis and Customer Reporting, Data Standards and Statistical Design, Governance/Advisory and Strategy

Job level(s)

Management

Work type(s)

Fixed term full-time